Bromley Cats Protection Christmas Newsletter 2016

Visit our website: www.cats.org.uk/bromley

CHARITY No 203644 (ENGLAND & WALES) SCO37711 (SCOTLAND)

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These are the current dates for our hall sales. Please come along to meet some of our volunteers, support our work and have a drink and some homemade cake. There is a variety of stalls including jewellery, cosmetics and gifts, good quality clothes and accessories, cat

goods, bric-a-brac, a tombola, a raffle, and our very popular refreshments.

If you would like to contact us Write: Bromley Cats Protection, PO Box 1124, Bromley, BR1 9TU Website: Visit our website www.cats.org.uk/bromley and see our ‘Contact Us’ page for the online enquiry form Homing: Jenni 07917 031729 Neutering: Jenni 07917 031729 or Tracy 020 8656 4186 Membership: Eve 07981 140639 or eve9nq@yahoo.co.uk Helpline & Lost & found: 020 8313 3687 Editor: Tracy would love to hear from you with stories about the cats you have got from us as well as other articles of interest to our readers. Write to her at the above PO Box number or email BromleyCPL@outlook.com

Dates for your 2017 diary

Front cover: Don’t Santa’s little helpers look a picture at our Christmas Sale in West Wickham last month?

Also see our website and subsequent Newsletters for new dates added, especially the summer outdoor events. Saturday 4th March 2017 Spring sale at St Francis Church Hall, Ravenswood Ave, West Wickham, BR4 0PW Helpers from 12 noon. Open to public from 2pm. Saturday 22rd April 2017 Sale at Holy Trinity Church, Lennard Road, Penge, SE20 7LX Helpers from 12 noon. Open to public from 2pm. Saturday 24th June 2017 Summer sale at St Francis Church Hall, Ravenswood Ave, West Wickham, BR4 0PW Helpers from 12 noon. Open to public from 2pm. Saturday 30th September 2017 Combined Animal Charities at St Francis Church Hall, Ravenswood Ave, West Wickham, BR4 0PW Helpers from 12 noon. Open to the public from 2pm. Saturday 11th November 2017 Christmas Bazaar at St Francis Church Hall, Ravenswood Ave, West Wickham, BR4 0PW Helpers from 12 noon. Open to the public from 2pm

Words from The Editor

All of us here at Bromley Cats Protection have had a very busy year, and lots of thanks go to all of you who donate money, help at sales, bake cakes, and donate and collect items to sell. During 2016 we held 7 indoor hall sales and had stalls at 9 outdoor events during the summer. These raise vital funds and it is also a chance for us to meet so many of you who support our work. We hope you picked up some bargains and also enjoyed our homemade cakes, savouries and preserves! A big thank you to Ray and Vanessa who dress up in cat costumes to promote our hall sales by walking up and down West Wickham High St whatever the weather. Our thoughts go to all the lovely people who adopted one (or more!) of our cats and kittens this year and gave them their forever home. Thank you so much. We hope you have a wonderful first Christmas with your new furry friends. Please all pet owners read my article on Seasonal Safety further on in this Newsletter. This can be a dangerous time for animals with so much going on. Finally, a big festive Thank You goes to Jean Etherington. Jean won first prize of £100 in our Christmas raffle. Very generously, Jean has given it back to us as a donation. What a big hearted gesture!! Let us hope that 2017 proves to be a better year for all animals – especially cats ! All that remains for me to do is wish you all a very

Tracy

A review of 2016 Looking back over the past year we are pleased that so many wonderful homes have been found for the branch’s rescued cats, and thanks to the hard work of the homing team, they have even helped other branches home some of their cats. Sadly as we have adjusted into the Welfare role, we have also become more aware of the seemingly growing problem with abandoned cats in the area. In today’s society so many people have to move frequently and lack stable housing, plus most rented accommodation no longer allows pets. This is compounded by the apparent unawareness of the need to neuter and of the financial support that is available to do so.

The branch has many volunteering vacancies looking to be filled, especially for trapping, fostering, and neutering promotion. So why not make it your New Year’s resolution to help make a difference to the lives of cats in your area. Volunteering needn’t involve a huge commitment of your time, as even giving up a few of hours a week would be a big help. Finally, our thanks as always to the staff at Foxgrove vets for the care they show our cats, to Brender for her dedication, to the fosterers who share their homes and love with the cats and to all the other volunteers, members and supporters who provide the funds and resources to allow the branch to continue to help so many needy cats and kittens.

Merry Christmas from Janet, Laurence and Laura

Recently we have found ourselves increasingly being required to trap female cats who have been abandoned and then give birth in gardens. Thankfully most of these cases have come to our attention in time to rescue the kittens before they are too old for socialising, but this isn’t always the case. Whilst recently trying to trap a mother and her older feral kittens, caring local resident Mandy found and trapped a tiny very bedraggled kitten for the branch. The poor thing was starving and was covered in mud and oil from the floor of the garage he had been sheltering in. Despite being underweight for his age, he appears to be otherwise healthy and is quickly adjusting to life in a home. How such a tiny kitten came to be all alone in such an unsafe location is a mystery, but he can now look forward to a happier future.

It’s been 6 months now since we welcomed Phoebe into our family. Phoebe has settled in really well. After a timid start she does not hide when people come to the door. In fact, she will often come in to see who is visiting. She loves going in the garden and it is difficult getting her to come back in at night. She brings us gifts of slow worms. Phoebe is often chasing and catching butterflies. Phoebe has certainly got into a routine, knowing when it is feeding time, even wanting to be fed at 6am at weekends. She has put on weight enjoying the food we give her. She loves her Dreamies treats and often eats sliced meat when I am making sandwiches. She knows when it's bedtime and now sleeps on our bed.

Having her in our life has really made a difference. She is always there when we get home to greet us and loves sitting on our laps for cuddles. We love watching her play too - she make funny faces and gets into strange positions - always a source of entertainment. She gets a lot of attention and we all jump to give her what she needs but we would not be without her now. She is very close to Jeff. He is the preferred one and it is nice to see them being so close. We have taken lots of photos of her as she has the most amazing markings with her little white boots. Thank you so much for homing her with us, it was meant to be and we consider ourselves very lucky to have her. Regards,

Ann and Jeff

Phoebe Phoebe was rehomed with Ann and Jeff earlier this year. With her white

socks and bib, she is an absolute delight. Phoebe means “bright one” in Latin.

Seasonal Safety Don’t forget that your cat will need extra-special care over the festive

season. Don’t let the cat wreck the halls this Christmas, simply follow the top ten safety tips and you’ll be merry all the way into the New Year.

1 No matter how stunning your Christmas fairy is, your cat will always think he’ll look better at the top of your tree. Make sure your Christmas tree is securely fixed or it will topple, and not a festive tipple, that brings the house down.

2 Consider covering fairy light wires with chew-proof cable or plug into a circuit breaker or you might not be the only family member with a new hairdo for the celebrations. Fur will be flying if your cat is electrocuted or suffers burns to the mouth after chewing a loose length of wire. Secure wire by taping it to the carpet or tacking it to the skirting board.

3 Make sure the festive season is kept vet-free by keeping Christmas plants away from your feline friends. They may be your favourite but you wont be flavour of the month if kitty suffers kidney failure after nibbling the lilies. Easter lilies, Day lilies and tiger lilies are highly toxic to cats, and holly berries, mistletoe, ivy, amaryllis and poinsettias can cause vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pains.

4 Needles from real Christmas can pierce paws and cause infection, so make sure your vacuum them up daily.

5 Don’t leave pets home alone. The greatest Christmas present you can give your cat is a responsible carer if you are going away over the festive period.

9 Dispose of all food-related rubbish out of your cat’s reach. Poultry bones can become stuck in the mouth or in the throat, and may cause serious internal injuries. Licking empty tins can result in lacerated mouths.

6 We all want to spoil our moggies at Christmas but make sure you keep rich foods and chocolate out of his stocking. Chocolate is toxic to cats and delicacies from your own table such as cream, prawns, smoked salmon and turkey will soon turn him into a portly puss. In addition, upset tummies often result from over-eating, or eating foods cats are not used to. Only give Puss turkey if you are sure there are no small bones in it.

8 If you are planning to rock around the Christmas tree chances are that Puss won’t fancy dancing merrily along with you so keep him somewhere quiet and familiar where he wont be disturbed – with his bed, food, water and a litter tray. New Year’s Eve celebrations can often involve fireworks, so ensure your cat is kept safely inside.

7 Forget furry mice and tasty treats at Christmas – baubles, tinsel and metallic ribbons have much more appeal. However, they can be extremely hazardous when swallowed. Restrict them and fragile glass decorations to the higher branches.

10 Stick to your cat’s usual feeding and litter tray cleaning routines and ensure he always has fresh water.

Laurence rang me on a Thursday evening. Could I take Maya, tomorrow if possible? Of course I said yes. He mentioned that I was in for a treat, and said to look at her on the website. She was a petite 2 year old, exactly the same black and white markings as Benji! That wasn’t my plan! But she did indeed look lovely.... He then told me her tragic story, she had been owned by a young Russian woman living in Bromley who had died. How sad is that, and how much they must have loved each other. The mother had travelled here to arrange the funeral etc, and thankfully had got in touch with Cats Protection. My heart melted. I couldn’t wait to receive her! He also added that her name had been a long unpronounceable Russian one, hence they had shortened it to Maya. And apparently she only understood Russian! I collected her on the Friday evening. I was in love!!! On the Saturday morning I phoned Laurence to say that I wanted to keep her, and indeed I did.

Красивый черно-белый кот Helen wasn’t really ready to have another cat. Her beloved Benji had died in April 2015, aged 15, and she still missed him. Helen is a cover fosterer for Bromley CP, but each time it came to part with a temporary guest (or guests, as her first one being a mum with four adorable kittens!) it was harder and harder to let them go. Then Maya came along. “Красивый черно-белый” кот means Beautiful Black and White Cat in Russian.

Introducing her to my small garden was fun. I fashioned a long lead from some material and string. She behaved perfectly – of course! However, I had to squeeze along behind various prickly shrubs in order to keep up with her. She discovered cobwebs tasted good (!) and enjoyed eating them. She likes to drink from the birdbath, which I have to try to keep clean. We abandoned the lead of course after a while. She loves it when I am outdoors with her, doing various garden jobs. Hide and Seek is a favourite game when she endlessly surprises me by jumping out from nowhere. I am hoping that the environs of the garden will satisfy her, and that she will not want to go beyond it. I am so happy to have such a lovely little companion again.

Maya is sweet, lovable, and now understands English! In the beginning I learnt a couple of Russian words from a student of mine who looked at me as if I was completely mad when I said I wanted to communicate with my cat! Although she resembles my old cat, her personality – and of course being female – is completely different. She has bonded with me, follows me around, loves my lap, is obedient and well behaved. When I go out she sits on the bottom stair watching me, her little head on one side as if she is working out what I am doing. She already knows when someone is approaching the house well before I hear anything. She loves chasing after paper and foil balls, toys, leaping in the air and around the (empty) bath. Water is her thing, I think, so I have to be rather careful or she might decide to jump into the loo! She also assists me with filing papers by sitting IN the filing cabinet amongst the files.

Helen

Little Susie the grey tabby kitten was lost and alone. It was Christmas Eve and she was cold, wet and hungry. She sat on the pavement in a quiet side street and mewed hopefully at passers-by. So far no-one had paid her any attention as they struggled home laden with last-minute Christmas shopping. It was already beginning to get dark and drizzle with rain. Suddenly, a man and a little girl appeared out of the gloom, they too were laden-down with shopping but surely they would not pass her by? Susie approached them eagerly, mewing plaintively and standing up on her back legs. The little girl stopped and turned to her father, “Look Daddy, a kitten”, she cried gently picking Susie up. “She looks hungry and I’ve not seen her in the road before and I know all the cats here!”. “Um yes”, mused Daddy uncertainly stroking Susie’s head adding absently, “she does look hungry”. “Can we take her indoors then and give her something to eat Daddy?”, cooed the little girl emphatically adding, “after all, it is Christmas”; “Oh all right dear”, replied Daddy with a smile, “but not for too long, I don’t know what Mummy’s going to say”. Daddy need not have worried, for when they took her indoors Mummy was delighted. “She’s adorable”, she pronounced, “now what can we give her to eat?”. Mummy rummaged in the kitchen cupboard whilst Susie sniffed quizzically at her new surroundings. “Ah, here’s a tin of pilchards”, called Mummy triumphantly and busied herself opening the tin. Susie’s sniffs became even more quizzical as the smell of the pilchards wafted down to her and she mewed in anticipation of the feast to come. At last, Mummy placed the bowl on the floor and Susie fell upon it ravenously. The little girl’s brother came scampering into the kitchen and gently stroked Susie’s back as she ate. She paid him no heed as she continued to devour the pilchards, then eagerly lapping-up a saucer of milk that Mummy had thoughtfully placed beside her. When she had finished her meal, Susie gave herself a slow, dignified wash as befitting such a feast and strolled into the living room in search of a comfortable place to sleep it off. She gracefully leapt onto an armchair, stretching herself languorously before settling down to sleep. “Daddy, Daddy”, called the little boy anxiously, “she’s taken your favourite chair”. “Never mind,” replied Daddy smiling, “after all it is Christmas”. That evening, the children went to bed reluctantly and not before stroking the tiny, still sleeping form on the armchair. Even the sound of the television and Mummy and Daddy wrapping the Christmas presents failed to disturb Susie who slept on contentedly. Daddy chuckled and turned to Mummy, “What do you think she’s dreaming of?”, he asked. “Christmas Dinner tomorrow” replied Mummy, amused at such a question. “She won’t still be here then will she?”, asked Daddy a little surprised. “Of course she will dear,” said Mummy, “she’s here for good, that can be our Christmas present to her”. Daddy smiled and nodded his agreement while Susie slept on. “I wonder if she knows?”, he said then breaking into song, “Wake up little Susie, wake up”. At the sound of the name Susie her left ear flickered. “Did you see that?”, exclaimed Daddy, “do you think that’s her name?”. Mummy returned his smile, “Well if it isn’t, it will be from now on”. Susie blithely slept on, she had certainly landed on her paws and it was going to be a great Christmas.

Bill

Susie’s Christmas Present Bill Baker wrote this short story for a college course back in 1989 and never intended it for publication. It was inspired by the rescue of a young cat at that time who was called Susie. After a bad start in life, Susie had a happy 19 years with Bill and Margaret!

Obesity and Cats Just like us, cats can put on a few extra pounds, especially as they get older and become less active, or if they spend every day indoors. It’s important to prevent your cat from

putting on too much weight, as overweight cats can face many health implications that can prevent them from enjoying a happy and healthy lifestyle.

Sometimes it can be hard to notice that your cat has been slowly gaining weight, when you are familiar with the cat’s appearance. It can also be tricky to tell if your cat is overweight, particularly if they’re longhaired, and some cats are naturally stockier than others depending on their breed. So it is a good idea to regularly check your cat’s shape against the recommended physique guidelines (see chart below). It is also a good idea to keep a record of your cats weight and ask your vet to weigh your cat at each visit. If you’re still not sure, or you think you might have an overweight cat, have a chat with your vet. It’s important to speak to the vet before you make any changes to your cat’s diet if you think they are overweight, as their weight gain could be caused by an underlying illness, rather than an over-active appetite. The health risks to overweight cats are serious and every cat owner should be aware of them and their consequences. Obesity can cause many common diseases such feline diabetes, liver disease, urinary tract disease, lameness, arthritis, asthma, skin problems, surgical and anaesthetic risk and not to mention decreased quality and length of life. As in people, cats carrying extra pounds place extra demands on virtually all the organs of their bodies. When we overload these organs, disease and sometimes death are the consequences. If you have concluded that your cat's weight gain isn’t caused by a health problem, and have spoken to your vet about an appropriate diet, you can start to introduce changes to their usual feeding routine. Start by cutting out all treats and titbits, including cat milk, for two weeks. You might feel like you’re being unfair but it’s the kindest thing to do in the long run if you have an overweight cat. Make sure everyone else in the family knows the rules so no one does any affectionate cheating! If you’ve got several cats, it’s a good idea to feed your overweight cat separately to avoid them stealing any leftovers. It can be a good idea to divide the overweight cat’s food into smaller, more frequent meals to help them with hunger. Just make sure you keep track of what, and how much, you’re feeding. Your vet may suggest reducing the amount you’re feeding or recommend a special, lower-calorie diet – the practice may even run a weight-loss programme where you can monitor your cat’s weight loss and get lots of help and advice.

Successful cat weight loss should be slow and gradual, and it can take months. Be patient, take your vet’s advice and, if possible, join a feline weight-loss clinic for extra support if you are concerned that your cat is overweight. Some vets recommend weighing cats weekly to ensure that they are not losing more than 2% of their body weight a week. They recommend using a flat bed toddler scale which can easily be purchased online or a luggage scale could be used to weigh the cat in a cat carrier and then deducting the weight of the carrier. Its not ideal to hold your cat and use an adult scale because they are not very accurate to measure very small weight loss changes.

When the two weeks are up, check their body condition again and continue their diet until they’ve reached their ideal body condition and weight. Take it slow and steady as rapid weight loss is dangerous and could be a sign of a serious underlying problem. Once your cat has reached their perfect shape and size, you can look at slightly adjusting their feeding quantities to stabilise their weight for the future. It’s dangerous to starve your overweight cat as a solution to make them lose weight, as it can actually lead to serious health problems. By reducing food intake by more than 10-15%, you’ll be denying your cat the right balance of essential minerals and vitamins and they could potentially develop problems such as hepatic lipidosis. This is a serious and potentially fatal liver condition that can be caused by food restriction.

Remember, food is only part of the journey to long term health and fitness – your overweight cat’s lifestyle will also affect their weight. In particular, a lack of exercise can pile on the pounds, so encourage your cat to stay active to burn off any excess energy. Providing opportunities for solo play is particularly important for indoor cats, especially if they spend much of the day alone. An important point to remember with toys is that you need to alternate them to prevent boredom. Don’t just throw all their toys on the floor and leave them. Cats are very smart and will tire of toys quickly. Instead, put out only one or two toys and change them regularly. This will be far more interesting for your cat. Anything with string on it should not be left for your cat to chew through and swallow. Start by getting your cat to play for about 5 minutes per day. After a few weeks, you can increase to ten minutes. Two play sessions of 5 minutes per day would be fantastic for your cat. If your cat does not feel like playing the first time, don’t get discouraged. Keep trying and you will start to work out how and when your cat likes to play. The best type of toys are ones which stimulate prey hunting behaviour – a ball, a catnip mouse or feather on a string. It is very easy for you to simulate moving prey. Try to imitate a small animal sneaking around your furniture, or swing through the air like a bird occasionally letting it land and hop around. Take your time, let your cat stalk or chase the “prey”. After a few minutes you can let your cat pounce on the “mouse” or snatch the “bird” out of the air. It is most important that your cat feels like it has had a successful hunt. Lastly, don’t get discouraged if you have an overweight cat. Along with advice from your vet, there is plenty you can do to regain his or hers optimum weight and give them the best chance in life that they deserve.

Squeaky Blake is my mate He chose to be my pet I don't know where he came from Found in the cold & wet Squeaky Blake is a cheeky boy Couldn't leave him out in the cold Hungry, dirty, bedraggled & damp Walked into my life good as gold Squeaky Blake likes his naps Indeed, he can sleep for Britain All he needs is a bit of sun to daydream of being a kitten Squeaky Blake is a ninja cat We don't know where he hides but when you fill up his food bowl he magically appears at your side Squeaky Blake is my darling boy A smoochy, amber eyed lad He loves a lap, a bit of a chat And a big bowl of fish on the side Squeaky Blake is a light in our life With his typical feline ways Knows what he likes, knows what he wants And is welcome here for the rest of his days

Squeaky Blake

Jenni

Jenni Blake is one of our volunteer home checkers and she has helped rehome many of the cats in past newsletters. This is the newest member of her family, Squeaky. He was living in her garden and, when she lost her 16yr old indoor cat earlier in the year, she decided to put a Cats Protection collar on him to see if she could locate his owner. When, after 4 weeks, no one had come forward as his owner she took him to the vets to get him microchipped and treated. He had fleas, ticks and bad teeth. Her original intention was to re-home him through Cats Protection but as you will see he has stolen her heart.

Bromley Cats Protection CHRISTMAS DINNER APPEAL

All the kitties in Bromley Cats Protection care will have their stockings hung hoping for lots of food and goodies this Christmas. To help us make their dreams come true and also support other cats who will need our help over Xmas and the New Year, we hope you will be able to support this Christmas Dinner Appeal. By doing so it will help us to carry on with our rescue and rehoming work and help even more unwanted and stray cats in the borough. Every penny from this appeal will be used for the care of our cats. This page contains 10 empty dishes. The name on each dish is a genuine cat in our care this Christmas. It costs £1 (or more if you like) to fill a dish and we would like you to sponsor as many of them as possible with a little help from your friends, family and colleagues. All sponsors will be entered into a prize draw to win a £30 gift card or voucher at an outlet of the winners choice. The prize has kindly been donated by our Editor. Draw will take place on 5th January 2017. Winner will be notified and announced in the Spring Newsletter

Please return the leaflet and cheques (payable to Bromley Cats Protection) to: Christmas Dinner Appeal Bromley Cats Protection PO Box 1124 Bromley BR1 9TU

Minnie Amber Juliet Hermione Luna

Rose Bud Dusty Socks Bowie

PLEASE HELP NEEDY CATS IN BROMLEY CHARITY No 203644 (ENGLAND & WALES) SCO37711 (SCOTLAND)

By making a donation or becoming a member of your local branch of Cats Protection

We are the only Cats Protection branch in the immediate area and we need to raise in excess of £25,000 each year to carry out our vital work. We rely entirely on donations and our own fundraising efforts. Our objectives are:

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To relieve the suffering of cats and kittens

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To encourage the public to take better care of their cats and kittens

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To rehome stray and unwanted cats and kittens

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To encourage and assist with the cost of neutering thus reducing the number of unwanted cats and kittens.

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